Office of Residence Life
Parent FAQ
RESIDENCE HOUSING
When are the deadlines for housing applications and deposits?
For Fall 2008 semester, all completed applications with housing deposits date stamped on or before May 1, 2008 will recieve a housing assignment. Doubles rooms will be assigned in deposit date order. Housing deposits and applications received after May 1, 2008 will be assigned on a space available basis according to the date of receipt of deposit. Please note: July 1, 2008 is the last day that new students can withdraw from housing and be refunded their $250 housing deposit.
Which residence halls might a first year expect to be placed in?
All first year students will be living in Simmons, Morse, Mesick, and South Halls. While there are some double occupancy rooms, please know that many of our first year students will be assigned to triple and quadruple occupancy rooms. The prices are the same for all housing options, and each student will be given their own phone and internet hook up as well as furniture.
What special interest housing options are there on campus?
South Hall & Simmons Hall offer the special interest housing options shown below.
Wellness and Holistic Living (South Hall): The Wellness and Holistic Living hall provides substance free living, which focuses on the concepts of wellness. The Residence Life staff works with the residents of the hall to integrate the principles of holistic health into the community. Special programs and events offer many ways to encourage students to enhance their self-awareness and to develop a personal perspective of their mind, body, and soul.
Quiet Hours (Simmons Hall): The Quiet Hours floor offers 16 or more hours per day of quiet hours as decided upon by the floor members.
How are the student rooms furnished?
Rooms are furnished with a standard twin size bed (NOT extra long twin size beds), desk, dresser, and bookcase for each student. Students may not bring their own beds or mattresses.
Does each room have internet/cable/phone access?
Yes, each room comes equipped with internet, and phone access for each student. As well as a cable hook up per room.
Internet: All residence halls have high speed Ethernet access in each room. Students with an Ethernet-ready computer will need to bring an Ethernet cord to plug into the system.
Cable: Cable television is available in each room free of charge. Please supply your cable cord to plug into the system.
Telephone: Each student is provided with voice mail and limited local service free of charge. The College also provides caller ID service. To access caller ID, students must provide a phone with caller ID capabilities. Long distance service is available through Paetec-a provider contracted with the College. You will receive more information about signing up for long distance when you arrive on campus in the fall. Each student is expected to check their Simmons voicemail, mailbox, and email account regularly as they are all official Simmons College forms of communication.
What should she bring?
Students are allowed to bring standing lamps (with the exception of halogen lamps), curtains, rugs, stereos, televisions, and computers. Posters, picture frames, easy care plants, and bicycles are also acceptable. Pets are strictly prohibited with the exception of small fish in properly maintained tanks of no more than a five gallon capacity. For information concerning what students should bring with them to the residence campus, please consult the "What to Pack & What Not to Pack" leaflet distributed to all incoming students at Orientation. For a copy of this flyer please check our website
(http://my.simmons.edu/services/residence-life/).
What are students allowed to do to their rooms?
Students may not physically alter, remove, or in any way tamper with the room furnishings provided by the College. This includes construction of any kind (i.e. lofts or other alterations of the bed) or painting of the walls, ceilings, and floors.
What amenities are allowed in their rooms?
Students are allowed to have refrigerators in their rooms as long as they are not larger than 3.3 cubic feet. Microfridges, available for rental from Residence Campus Services are the only way for students to have a microwave in their room.
What items are not allowed in student rooms?
Students are strictly prohibited from the possession or use of electrical appliances with heating elements or high energy consumption such as hot plates, immersion heaters, popcorn poppers, crock pots, electrical heaters, stoves, toaster ovens, halogen lamps and air conditioners. Electric kettles and coffee pots are allowed only with an automatic shut off feature. If found in student rooms, prohibited items will be confiscated and disposed or donated to a charitable organization. Candles, incense, oil burners, or any other type of flame or burning unit as well as tapestries and other cloth wall hangings are also banned.
COLLEGE LIFE
What are the biggest adjustments during the first year?
Often the biggest change for students during their first year of college is getting used to living away from home for the first time. Adjusting to life in a new place can also be difficult and living with a roommate can also be a big change for students. At the Office of Residence Life, we recognize that the first year of college can be difficult for many students and so we offer many opportunities for support. Our knowledgeable and compassionate staff of Resident Advisors (RAs) and Resident Directors (RDs) are on hand to assist all of the students on the Residence Campus. Also, we make an extra effort to house incoming first year students in a building with returning sophomores in an attempt to ease the transition into college life.
When is the best time for a student to travel home for the first time?
This decision is one that you and your daughter will have to decide upon together. However, we suggest that for the first month or so, new students remain on campus during the weekends because this time spent on campus is often the best way for students to develop the friendships with other residents that really enrich the college experience.
My student called me anxious and upset, where can she find help?
There are many options available to students who are feeling anxious, upset, or in any sort of emotional distress. There is a Counseling Center on the main campus that is available to all students free of charge. The Health Center is located on the residence campus and students are free to stop by at any time free of charge. Resident Advisors (RAs) and Resident Directors (RDs) are also available to assist students during and after their transition to college and residence life. There is always an RD on duty when the Residence Life Office is closed and they can be reached in an emergency, as can the RAs on duty each night. If the situation is not an emergency, students are encouraged to set up appointments with the RD in their hall or stop by during office hours to discuss any problems, concerns, or questions. The Office of Residence Life Central Staff are also more than willing to assist students in any way that they can.
How can students call home?
Telephone service is available in every student's room. Each student is provided with voice mail and limited local service free of charge. Long distance service is available through a provider contracted with the College or through the use of prepaid telephone cards. Students will receive more information about signing up for long distance when they arrive in the fall.
What do students do when they get sick?
The Health Center, which is located on the Simmons Residence Campus, offers health care to Simmons undergraduate and graduate students, and is a provider of health services to students at other area colleges as well. Services are available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day during the academic year either at the Center, or when the Center is closed, by telephone contact with the provider on call. Some services are also available in the summer.
The Simmons health center is staffed by registered nurses, nurse practitioners and physicians. All physicians are Board Certified and have appointments at Harvard Medical School and at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, which is directly across the street from the Simmons residence campus.
The Health Center offers primary care services by appointment, including physical exams, management of chronic disease, including asthma, care of sports related injuries, academic and sports clearances, and gynecological care including routine gynecological exams, contraception, diagnosis and treatment of gynecological illness, and pregnancy testing. In the event of a life-threatening emergency, if students are on campus, they should call campus security at 1111. To contact the provider on call for all other illness or injury when the health center is closed, students should contact the RA or RD on duty.
The detailed information on the Health Center webpage will tell you about Health Center hours of operation, services available and how to receive after hours care, as well as information on immunizations and insurance. The staff at the Health Center welcomes the opportunity to answer your questions and concerns. Call us at (617) 521-1002.
Where do students do laundry?
Laundry facilities are available in each residence hall. All laundry machines are coin and Fenway Card operated. Washers and dryers each cost $1.25 per load.
Can students have cars on campus?
Due to limited space, parking is not available to resident students. However, there is ample public transportation available surrounding the Simmons College campuses. Schedules are available at the Student Information Desk in the Main Campus Building or at www.mbta.com.
Are students able to work on campus?
Yes, many students are awarded Federal Work-Study as part of their financial aid package. Also, there are ample general employment opportunities for interested students. The Career Education Center can assist students in finding both on- and off-campus employment. To make an appointment with a career counselor, or for more information, please call 617-521-2488.
What is my student's mailing address?
Each student is assigned a Mail Stop Code (MSC) number that also serves as her mailbox number in the mailroom. This number must be used on all incoming mail. Incoming mail should be addressed to the student as follows:
Student's Name
Simmons College MSC ####
54 Pilgrim Road
Boston, MA 02215
Where do students hang out on the Residence Campus?
The hub of each hall is the living room. In addition, some halls also have smaller, less formal lounges and study areas. All halls have a television and a VCR and/or DVD player for use by residents. Quadside Café is also a popular student hang out, offering a large-screen TV, ample and comfortable seating, and a snack bar and convenience store.
Where do students study?
Several places are available for students to study. If students prefer to study outside of their rooms, many halls offer their own study areas for students. On the main campus, students are often seen studying in the library, Java City or the Fens Cafeteria.
Are there computers available for students to use?
There are computers available for students to use both on the main campus and on the residence campus. Computer labs on the residence campus offer 24 hour internet access and are available to all residents. There are labs in Arnold, Mesick, North, Smith, and Simmons Halls.
What kind of meal plan options are there?
Student meal plans are included in the housing costs and, therefore, students are required to be on a meal plan during the fall and spring semesters. However, meal plans do not cover vacation periods. Each plan includes a combination of meals and points. Points work like cash and may be used in the Quadside Café, Quadside Convenience, and Bartol Dining Hall, as well as the Fens Cafeteria, Java City and Myers Café on the Main Campus. Meals are available in Bartol Hall during all opening hours. Students may also use meals in the Fens Cafeteria on the main campus, where a food purchase of up to $5.50 can count as a meal during certain periods of the day. For food purchases of over $5.50, the student can use a meal and pay the additional cost with either points or cash. Upon request, bagged lunches and dinners are available through Bartol Dining Hall. Currently, the meal plans are:
Any 19 meals per week and $50.00 in points per semester
Any 14 meals per week and $90.00 in points per semester
Any 10 meals per week and $130.00 in points per semester
Any 7 meals per week and $170.00 in points per semester
Any 100 meals and $150 in points per semester
Please note, all first year students must select either the 19 or the 14 meal plan for the first semester in college. The change to a 10 meal plan may be selected for the second semester. For more information on meal plans and dining options, please call Campus Card Office at (617) 521-2273.
What is Fenway Cash and how do students use them?
All students can use their ID card as a Fenway Card. Students can go to the Card Office to purchase Fenway Cash to be used in place of cash. Fenway Cash represents money linked to your ID card and can be used in place of cash. When a student's card is swiped, the amount of her purchase is deducted from her Fenway Cash total. There are two types of Fenway Cash: General and Bookstore. General Fenway Cash can be used to pay for items at the Bookstore, Dining Services, copiers, vending machines, laundry machines, and the Copy Center. Popular Neighborhood Businesses that accept Fenway Cash include City Hair, Cold Stone Creamery, CVS Pharmacy, Domino's Pizza, Qdoba Mexican Grill, Subway, Utrecht Art Supply, and more. Bookstore Cash may only be used to purchase items in the bookstore. For more information, contact the Campus Card office at 617-521-CARD (2273).
SAFETY
How safe is the campus?
Simmons College employs its own Police as uniformed officers as well as a private company who provide the residence and academic campuses with security 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. The Public Safety Office and dispatch for the Residence Campus are located on the first floor of Simmons Hall.
All residence halls are locked 24 hours a day. Each student is given a key to her room as well as a Simmons College ID card (also the Fenway Card). The campus is equipped with a computerized card access system, which allows access to all residence halls by all residents from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily and access to one's own hall of residence 24 hours a day. In addition to the card access system, the entire Residence Campus is enclosed by an iron fence, which is secured between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. During that time, students and visitors may gain access to the Residence Campus through the Public Safety control area located in Simmons Hall. Visitors must be escorted by a Simmons resident at all times, in accordance with the escort policy.
How safe is Boston?
The Boston area is an urban environment and as such caution should be exercised at all times. However, Simmons College is located in an area where there are many other colleges and there are many college students who have a wonderful, safe, and enjoyable experience in Boston. Here at Simmons, we are committed to supporting student safety and encourage students to participate in the free self-defense courses that are offered as well as communicate with their RAs and other students about common sense strategies for staying safe. Many students enjoy living in an urban area and most students feel quite safe in and around the Simmons community.
STAFF
Who should I call if I have questions?
While the RA and RD are available for student support, the Central Staff members of the Office of Residence Life (the Director of Residence Life, the Assistant Directors, and the Administrative Assistant), all are available for parent concerns and questions. All parents with questions will be directed to the Office of Residence Life at (617) 521-1096. Our office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm.
What is the role of the Resident Director?
Resident Directors (RDs) are part-time and full-time professionals who live in the residence halls. Each RD is responsible for supervising a staff of Resident Advisors, assisting with the coordination of activities within the halls, advising an active Hall Council, and serving as an important link between the central office and the resident students. An RD is also on duty whenever the Residence Life Office is closed.
What is the role of the Resident Advisor?
Resident Advisors (RAs) are carefully selected and trained undergraduate and graduate students who serve as peer advisors and educators to residents. RAs assist students in their transition to college and residence life. They strive to build supportive and fun communities based on civility and mutual respect. Each night, residence halls are staffed by an RA on duty. In addition to serving as a contact person in the event of an emergency, the RA on duty is available to assist students.
COMMUTER HOUSING
What is commuter housing?
Commuter housing is "hostel-style" and designed for students that want to stay on campus one or two days a week because travel time would prohibit their academic ability. Commuters are assigned to a designated shared room (up to 4 people) in North Hall.
How can commuter students reserve a room for short term stay?
Commuter students can contact the Office of Residence Life to reserve a room either by phone (617) 521-1096 or via email at reslife@simmons.edu.
What are the costs?
The cost for commuter housing is $25 per night.
How are the rooms furnished?
The rooms are arranged to be able to house three to four students at a time, but male and female commuter students are never housed in the same room at the same time. Rooms are furnished with a bed for each student, two dressers, and two desks. Students must provide their own bedding during their stay. A bathroom, vending machines, and laundry facilities are available in the same residence hall in which the rooms are located for the convenience of the commuter students.
What should students bring?
Students should bring everything that they require for an overnight stay including alarm clocks, toothbrush/toothpaste, pillows, towels, soap, shampoo and conditioner, and sheets for a standard twin bed see the what to pack list
